Columns

Since coming to Congress, my top priority has been promoting job growth. As we look back at 2013 and we begin the New Year and the second session of the 113th Congress, I am encouraged by the progress my colleagues in the House and I have made in this effort. We have approved numerous pieces of legislation aimed at rejuvenating our economy, and it is my hope that many of these will continue to move through the legislative process as we return in January.

As we ring in 2014, the House and Senate return to Washington for the start of the second session of the 113th Congress. Looking forward, it is abundantly clear that our nation has much to accomplish to tackle the challenges of today and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come. However, with a new year and a new session of Congress come new opportunities.

Greetings and the wish of a prosperous new year to everyone.
As I write this, the Monday morning forecast is predicting temperatures in the low double digits. I’m hoping that doesn’t cause any problems for anyone, myself included. I’m also preparing to leave for a “New Supervisor’s Forum” in Richmond, hoping to return with a better skill set for serving you all.

For a long time now, conservatives have been shouting “Benghazi, Benghazi” at the top of their lungs, asserting that the deaths there of the U.S. Ambassador and others represent a great crime of President Obama.
Surely, they claim, the entire episode was the fault of an administration asleep at the wheel in the face of yet another Al Qaeda attack. They even allege a “cover-up” of the truth.

I am pleased to report that last week, for the first time in five years, Congress agreed upon a federal budget. The House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 by a vote count of 332-94.

Everywhere you look it is clear that Christmas is here. Christmas carols play on the radio, store windows are filled with elaborate displays, parades make their way down the street, and children line up to meet Santa Claus.

With Thanksgiving shortly behind and the constant and continual bombardment of “gotta do this, gotta do that,” I find comfort and joy that I can just pause and reflect a few moments on "Christmas As I Remember It.”
Perhaps others of my generation who were privileged to grow up in the 1960s-70s era or maybe someone just a little bit older can relate to some of my memories.